Press-in Method Employed in Philippines Railway Construction Project

Use of method for ODA project is expected to have a ripple effect that leads to more projects

2023.2.15 NEWS RELEASE

The Press-in Method which is using the SILENT PILERTM, press-in and extraction machinery of GIKEN LTD. (Head Office: Kochi City, Kochi; President: Shinnosuke Moribe; hereafter “GIKEN”), has been adopted for use on the Malolos-Clark Railway Project (CP N-02), a railway construction project in Philippines, and work is currently underway.

The Malolos-Clark Railway Project is an official development assistance (ODA) project being financed*1 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Retaining walls*2 will be built to enable construction of new piers for elevated bridges. With construction in close proximity to private residences and other buildings, GIKEN’s vibration- and noise-free press-in method was adopted to enable work to proceed without interfering with the lives of residents. In April 2022, an F201A SILENT PILERTM, capable of installing 600 mm wide U-shape sheet piles, was delivered to local company BNC Construction Inc. 

The Philippines government is promoting a large-scale infrastructure development program called “Build, Better, More.” The Malolos-Clark Railway Project is being implemented as part of the “North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project”, which is a flagship project under this development program. Sections of the railway to be constructed include many areas where impact on the neighboring environment must be minimized, such as proximity to residential areas. This new project will enable GIKEN to show off the advantages of its press-in technologies. In addition to further use of the method, development of new users, and additional machine sales as part of the project and elsewhere, it is expected to have a ripple effect that will see application to more projects going forward. 

*1 Civil engineering works are being financed by ADB, while other railway systems, etc. are being financed by JICA.
*2 Retaining walls will be used to prevent land slippage into holes when digging into the earth.

■ Malolos-Clark Railway Project Details

The Malolos-Clark Railway Project will see construction of two sections of suburban railway network covering a total of 53.1 km. The first section of 51.2 km goes from Malolos to Clark and Clark International Airport, with the second section of 1.9 km connecting Solis and Blumentritt stations in Metro Manila District I. 

The only transportation options currently available between Manila and Clark are buses and cars. Increasing population in the area is creating traffic congestion and atmospheric pollution issues for the country. When completed, the railway line will reduce travel time between the two centers from two or three hours down to about one hour. It is also expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60,000 tons per year. 

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■ Outline of Construction

Construction will consist of using an F201A SILENT PILERTM, capable of handling 500 and 600 mm wide sheet piles, to install 510 U-shaped sheet piles (15–30 m long), thereby creating retaining walls when building new bridge piers in the city of San Fernando (CP N-02). 

Group company Giken Seisakusho Asia Pte., Ltd. (Head Office: Singapore; President: Yoshihisa Fujisaki) has dispatched technical instructors to provide on-site guidance. 

Image created by GIKEN LTD. based on data supplied by Acciona Construction Phillippines Inc. and Daelim Industrial Co. Joint Venture. BNC Construction Inc.

■ Future Expectations

This is the first time that a GIKEN model capable of handling 500 and 600 mm wide sheet piles has been delivered to Philippines. Until now, only models capable of handling 400 mm wide sheet piles have been used in the country. Delivery of this machine has expanded the scope of potential solutions, and the number of sites where GIKEN machines can be used, so it is expected to lead to other projects as well. 

A local construction company was looking for a construction method that minimized the impact on people’s homes and lives. Having become interested in SILENT PILERTM after seeing it in operation in Manila, the company ended up purchasing a machine. Working as part of a major project within Philippines, this will be an ideal opportunity for showcasing the advantages of press-in technologies. With inquiries about the SILENT PILERTM already coming in from other construction companies, the ripple effect is starting to gradually appear. 

■Project Summary

Project NameMalolos-Clark Railway Project (CP N-02)
LocationSan Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
Project OwnerDepartment of Transportation
General ContractorAcciona Construction Philippines Inc. and Daelim Industrial Co. Joint Venture
Sub-contractorBNC Construction Inc.
EquipmentSILENT PILER™ F201A
Specification of Pile Elements510 U-shaped sheet piles (600 mm wide, 15.0–30.0 m long)
Press-in Construction PeriodAugust 2022 to February 2023

■Profile of GIKEN Group
GIKEN developed the SILENT PILERTM, the world's first reaction-based hydraulic pile jacking machine, installing piles with no noise and vibration. GIKEN Group now actively promotes the Press-in Technology worldwide and contributes to the construction industry by proposing and implementing innovative solutions. The innovative technology of press-in provides a unique solution and the adoption of this technology has grown to more than 40 nations and regions.


Contact Information:
GIKEN LTD.
International Business Department
TEL: +81-3-3528-1633 (weekdays: 8:30 to 17:30)
Tokyo Head Office: 16F Ariake Central Tower, 3-7-18 Ariake, Koto-ku, 135-0063, Japan